rule



 

Canto 7

Govinda jaya jaya

 
 

Chapter 4: Hiranyakas'ipu Terrorizes the Universe

(1) S'rî Nârada said: 'Thus being solicited Lord Brahmâ, who sees everywhere, pleased about Hiranyakas'ipu's austerities then granted him the benedictions that are so hard to obtain. (2) Lord Brahmâ said: 'My son, even though these boons you asked for are difficult to obtain for men, I will grant them to you, my best.'

(3) Thereupon the mighty Lord departed, he whose grace is faultless and who was worshiped by the most exalted Asura as the Almighty One praised by all rulers of mankind. (4) The Daitya, who thus had obtained his desired boon and had acquired a body with a golden luster, constantly thinking about the brother killed by the Lord, maintained a feeling of hatred towards Him. (5-7)  Conquering the three worlds in all directions, He, the greatest Asura, brought the masters of all places under his control: god, demon and man; the kings, the musicians of heaven and the birds [the Garudas]; the serpents, the perfected souls and the bards; the scientists, the seers and the leading manes; the fathers of mankind, the treasure keepers and the wild men; the goblins, the evil spirits and the ghosts. As the conqueror of the world, he usurped the power of rule of all authorities, everywhere. (8) Situated in the pleasure garden of the gods with the riches of all opulence, he thus resided in the highest world. Living in the palace of the king of heaven as created by Vis'vakarmâ, the great Asura architect, he, in control of all the wealth of the entire universe, dominated the three worlds from that abode of Lakshmî. (9-12) The steps there were made of coral, the floors of emerald, the walls of crystal and the rows of pillars were made of vaidûrya [cat's eye] stone. One also found there the most wonderful canopies and seats bedecked with rubies and bedding with pearls on its borders that was as white as the foam of milk. In the quarters adorned with jewels and gems, in which they saw their beautiful faces and teeth reflected, celestial ladies left and right made sweet sounds with their tinkling ankle bells. In that royal residence ruling most severely with the greatest might and mind, the dictator, controlling everyone, enjoyed it to be worshiped by the tormented, God-fearing entourage at his feet. (13)  Oh best one, he, the embodiment of all austerity, yoga, strength and good sense, who by anyone but the three principal deities, was honored with all glory with presentations from the hands of all important men, was thus engaged, while being intoxicated by strong scented wines that made his eyes roll red as copper. (14) With all his power occupying the seat of Indra, he was glorified by Vis'vâvasu, Tumburu [the greatest Gandharvas] and by me, oh son of Pându. Again and again all the singers and girls of heaven, the perfected souls, the saints and those who base themselves on knowledge offered their prayers to him. (15) Thus with gifts in abundance being worshiped by all classes and age groups, he, in the exercise of his power, reserved every share of the oblations for himself alone. (16) Mother earth yielded, as the cow of plenty, under his rule on all her seven continents spontaneously crops in a great abundance, while all the wonders of the universe could be observed in the sky. (17) The seas and oceans of salt and sweet water, wine, ghee, cane juice, yogurt and milk, as also their wives the rivers, carried all kinds of precious stones in their waves. (18) The valleys between the mountains and hills were his pleasure grounds that offered all the wealth of plant and tree throughout all the seasons. He alone stood for all the different qualities of all the ruling gods of nature. (19) Despite having conquered all directions as the one and only ruler, with the right to exhaustingly enjoy all thinkable pleasures, he was not at peace with it, for he had lost the control over his senses. (20) Being cursed by the brahmins [the Kumâras] he was intoxicated by great pride over the opulence he had acquired, so that a long period passed of living in offense with the scriptures [see also B.G. 16: 23-24].

(21) Because of his painful rebukes all the worlds were disturbed and for their leaders there was no safe place to be found.  Therefore they approached the Infallible One to seek shelter [compare B.G. 5: 29]. (22-23) They prayed thereto: 'We offer our obeisances in the direction where the Supersoul of Hari, the Supreme Lord, is found and from where the peaceful and pure souls of the renounced order never return.' With their minds under control, being wakeful and feeding on air only, they thus steadied and purified their intelligence in the worship of the Master of the Senses.

(24) Then, like thunder, in all directions a loud voice resounded free from a form, that drove away the fear of the saintly souls: (25-26) 'Do not fear, oh best souls of learning, I wish you all the best. From having My vision, the living beings may attain all good fortune. The nefarious activities of this great demon are known to Me and I shall put them to an end. Just wait and see. (27) When one is hostile towards the gods, the Vedas, the cows, the brahmins, the saints, the dharma and towards Me, one will soon perish. (28) The moment he [Hiranyakas'ipu] is of violence against his peace-loving son, that great soul Prahlâda who has no enemies, I shall kill him, irrespective the blessings he received [from Lord Brahmâ, see also 3.25: 21].'

(29) S'rî Nârada said: 'After thus having been addressed by the spiritual master of all living beings, the God-conscious souls offered Him their obeisances and returned to their places. Being relieved of all their anxieties they considered the demon as good as dead [2.3: 10]. (30) The Daitya king fathered four most qualified sons of whom the one named Prahlâda was the best, being endowed with all the qualities of a great devotee [see 5.18: 12]. (31-32) He, as a good brahmin being of full control over the senses and the mind, was firmly established in the Absolute Truth and was, alike the Supersoul, the beloved, best friend of all living beings. He sat down at the feet of the great souls like a servant, like a father he took care of the poor, he was like a brother to his equals and always kind to the spiritual masters whom he esteemed as the Supreme Controller Himself. He was of education, purpose, beauty, nobility and completely free from arrogance and impudence [compare B.G. 12: 13-19 and B.G. 18: 42]. (33) Even though he was born from an Asura, he was not of a demoniac nature. In the midst of danger he was of an unperturbed consciousness and he had no desire whatsoever to talk about, or be concerned with, temporary matters. Material qualities he considered insubstantial and by controlling his senses, life air, body and mind he quieted his lusts. (34) His qualities are, like those of the Supreme Lord, our Controller, unabatedly defended by the scholars to this very day, oh King. (35) In gatherings of saintly people, the enemies [of the demons] discuss these characteristics, using him as an example. When even the wise and learned souls do this, oh King, then why should you, or anyone else, not do that also? (36) One runs out of words when one tries to enumerate the countless qualities of him who owed his greatness to his natural attraction for Vâsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (37) As a small boy he, in his full absorption in the attraction of Krishna, refrained from playing and seemed to be absentminded, having no understanding for worldly matters.  (38) As he sat and walked, ate and lay down, drank and talked he, embraced by Govinda, was impervious to all of it. (39) Sometimes worrying about [not being in] Vaikunthha he cried, sometimes he laughed about a twist of mind and sometimes he chanted aloud in great jubilation thinking of Him. (40) Sometimes he, being overwhelmed, loudly exclaimed [His name], sometimes he danced without shame and sometimes he, lost in thoughts about Him and projecting himself into His position, imitated Him. (41) Then again he, with his hair standing on end and with tears in his half-closed eyes, fell completely silent, rapt with joy in being caught in the loving association of His transcendental bliss. (42) By his constant service at the lotus feet that are glorified in the hymns and by the evolution of his selfless association, he attained the highest ecstasy. From the spiritual soul he that way continually brought peace to all [around him] who lacked in spirit and association. (43)  Unto him, that exalted and most fortunate, broad-minded devotee who was his own son, oh King, Hiranyakas'ipu committed the greatest sin.'

(44) S'rî Yudhishthhira said: 'Oh devarishi sworn to vows, we would like to know from you the following: why did the father make his own pure and exalted son suffer? (45) Sons going against the will of their fathers are lovingly reprimanded. But for teaching them a lesson they cannot be punished like an enemy, is it not? (46) Please, oh brahmin, what to say about this father who, so mean to the point of death, hated his own obedient son? Please drive away the doubts we have, for he was a great devotee of the sort who honors his father as his guru, oh master.'

  

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Third revised edition, loaded January 18, 2019.

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

 Text 1

S'rî Nârada said: 'Thus being solicited Lord Brahmâ, who sees everywhere, pleased about Hiranyakas'ipu's austerities then granted him the benedictions that are so hard to obtain.
S'rî Nârada said: 'Lord Brahmâ who sees everywhere, thus being solicited then, pleased by Hiranyakas'ipu's austerities, granted him the benedictions that are so rarely achieved.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Lord Brahmâ said: 'My son, even though these boons you asked for are difficult to obtain for men, I will grant them to you, my best.'

Lord Brahmâ said: 'My son, all the boons you asked for are very rarely by men obtained from me, but despite of the fact that these blessings are normally not available, I will award them to you, my best.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Thereupon the mighty Lord departed, he whose grace is faultless and who was worshiped by the most exalted Asura as the Almighty One praised by all rulers of mankind.

Thereupon departed the mighty Lord, whose grace knows no faults, being worshiped by the most exalted asura as the Almighty One praised by all rulers of manhood. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

The Daitya, who thus had obtained his desired boon and had acquired a body with a golden luster, constantly thinking about the brother killed by the Lord, maintained a feeling of hatred towards Him.

The Daitya who thus obtained his desired boon and had acquired a body with a golden luster, maintained a constant contemplation of hatred against the Lord who had killed his brother. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5-7

Conquering the three worlds in all directions, He, the greatest Asura, brought the masters of all places under his control: god, demon and man; the kings, the musicians of heaven and the birds [the Garudas]; the serpents, the perfected souls and the bards; the scientists, the seers and the leading manes; the fathers of mankind, the treasure keepers and the wild men; the goblins, the evil spirits and the ghosts. As the conqueror of the world, he usurped the power of rule of all authorities, everywhere.

He, the greatest asura, conquering all places high, low and middle in all directions, brought under his control the masters of all worlds: god, demon and man, the kings, the indwellers of heaven, the reciters of the verses and the serpentine, the ones of perfection, of culture and knowledge, the saints, the leading forefathers, the founding fathers, the evil spirits, the wild men and the madmen and the dead and the ghosts and their leaders; as the conqueror of the world he usurped the power of rule of all authorities everywhere.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Situated in the pleasure garden of the gods with the riches of all opulence, he thus resided in the highest world. Living in the palace of the king of heaven as created by Vis'vakarmâ, the great Asura architect, he, in control of all the wealth of the entire universe, dominated the three worlds from that abode of Lakshmî.

In the paradise of the godly remaining in the riches of all opulence, lived he in the highest world, in the palace of the king of heaven as designed by Vis'vakarmâ the great asura architect himself; in control of all the wealth of the world lived he in the abode of Lakshmî. (Vedabase)

  

Text 9-12

The steps there were made of coral, the floors of emerald, the walls of crystal and the rows of pillars were made of vaidûrya [cat's eye] stone. One also found there the most wonderful canopies and seats bedecked with rubies and bedding with pearls on its borders that was as white as the foam of milk. In the quarters adorned with jewels and gems, in which they saw their beautiful faces and teeth reflected, celestial ladies left and right made sweet sounds with their tinkling ankle bells. In that royal residence ruling most severely with the greatest might and mind, the dictator, controlling everyone, enjoyed it to be worshiped by the tormented, God-fearing entourage at his feet.

There the steps were of coral, the floors of emerald, the walls of crystal and the rows of pillars of vaidûrya stone. Also were there the most wonderful canopies and seats bedecked with rubies and was the bedding as white as the foam of milk with pearls on its borders. In the quarters, left and right, adorned with jewels and gems, made the celestial ladies sweet sounds with their jingling ankle bells and showed they their nice teeth to their beautiful faces. In that royal residence with the greatest might and mind ruling with a most severe oppression enjoyed the dictator, having everyone under his control, the worship by the godly entourage at his feet. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

Oh best one, he, the embodiment of all austerity, yoga, strength and good sense, who by anyone but the three principal deities, was honored with all glory with presentations from the hands of all important men, was thus engaged, while being intoxicated by strong scented wines that made his eyes roll red as copper.

He, o best one, the harbor of all austerity, yoga, strength and good sense, who, except for by the three principal deities, with all glory was honored with presentations from the hands of all the important men, was in reality intoxicated by strong scented wines to which he rolled his eyes red as copper. (Vedabase)

  

Text 14

With all his power occupying the seat of Indra, he was glorified by Vis'vâvasu, Tumburu [the greatest Gandharvas] and by me, oh son of Pându. Again and again all the singers and girls of heaven, the perfected souls, the saints and those who base themselves on knowledge offered their prayers to him.

On the seat of Indra being glorified by Vis'vâvasu, Tumburu [the greatest Gandharvas] and also by me, were time and again prayers offered by all the singers and girls of heaven, the perfected, the saints and the ones of knowledge, o son of Pându. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

Thus with gifts in abundance being worshiped by all classes and age groups, he, in the exercise of his power, reserved every share of the oblations for himself alone.

And he, factually being worshiped with gifts in abundance by all classes and agegroups, reserved in the exercise of his power every portion of the oblations for himself. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

Mother earth yielded, as the cow of plenty, under his rule on all her seven continents spontaneously crops in a great abundance, while all the wonders of the universe could be observed in the sky.

As if she was the cow of plenty herself, yielded the earth under his rule on all continents spontaneously crops in a great abundance, while in the sky all the wonders of the universe could be observed. (Vedabase)
 
Text 17

The seas and oceans of salt and sweet water, wine, ghee, cane juice, yogurt and milk, as also their wives the rivers, carried all kinds of precious stones in their waves.

The seas and oceans of salt and sweet water, wine, ghee, cane-juice, yogurt and milk, and their wives the rivers as well, carried all kinds of precious stones in their waves. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

The valleys between the mountains and hills were his pleasure grounds that offered all the wealth of plant and tree throughout all the seasons. He alone stood for all the different qualities of all the ruling gods of nature.

The valleys between the mountains and hills were his pleasure grounds offering throughout all seasons all the good of plant and tree; he alone stood for all the different qualities of all the different gods. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Despite having conquered all directions as the one and only ruler, with the right to exhaustingly enjoy all thinkable pleasures, he was not at peace with it, for he had lost the control over his senses.

He, thus having conquered all directions as the one and only ruler enjoying all the pleasures one can think of, was not satisfied though being out of control with his senses. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

Being cursed by the brahmins [the Kumâras] he was intoxicated by great pride over the opulence he had acquired, so that a long period passed of living in offense with the scriptures [see also B.G. 16: 23-24].

Intoxicated in his great pride over his opulence thus passed a long period of living in offense with the scriptures and was the curse of the brahmin met [see also B.G. 16: 23-24]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Because of his painful rebukes all the worlds were disturbed and for their leaders there was no safe place to be found. Therefore they approached the Infallible One to seek shelter [compare B.G. 5: 29].

Disturbed by his painful rebuke was there for all the worlds and their leaders no place were they were safe and thus approached they the Infallible One to seek shelter with Him [compare B.G. 5.: 29]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22-23

They prayed thereto: 'We offer our obeisances in the direction where the Supersoul of Hari, the Supreme Lord, is found and from where the peaceful and pure souls of the renounced order never return.' With their minds under control, being wakeful and feeding on air only, they thus steadied and purified their intelligence in the worship of the Master of the Senses.

To that they prayed: 'Let there be our obeisances in that direction where the Supersoul of Hari, the Supreme Controller is found and from where, approaching Him, the peaceful, renounced and pure never return.' With their minds controlled that way they steadied and purified their intelligence, feeding on air only in worshiping the Master of the Senses without taking to sleep. (Vedabase)


Text 24

Then, like thunder, in all directions a loud voice resounded free from a form, that drove away the fear of the saintly souls:

To them all then appeared a loudly resonating voice without a form that, driving away their fear, stirred the saintly in all their pores: (Vedabase)

 

Text 25-26

'Do not fear, oh best souls of learning, I wish you all the best. From having My vision, the living beings may attain all good fortune. The nefarious activities of this great demon are known to Me and I shall put them to an end. Just wait and see.

'Do not fear, o best of learning, may there be all good fortune for you. The presence of Me indeed is there for all living beings to attain all the good. The nefarious activities of this great demon are known to Me and I shall put an end to them, just await that time. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

When one is hostile towards the gods, the Vedas, the cows, the brahmins, the saints, the dharma and towards Me, one will soon perish.

When one is averse to the gods, the Vedas, the cows, the brahmins, the saints, the regulative principles and to Me, will one indeed soon be vanquished. (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

The moment he [Hiranyakas'ipu] is of violence against his peace-loving son, that great soul Prahlâda who has no enemies, I shall kill him, irrespective the blessings he received [from Lord Brahmâ, see also 3.25: 21].'

When he is of violence unto his peace loving son who has no enemies, that great soul, Prahlâda, shall I kill him, whatever the blessings he has received [see also 3.25: 21].' (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

S'rî Nârada said: 'After thus having been addressed by the spiritual master of all living beings, the God-conscious souls offered Him their obeisances and returned to their places. Being relieved of all their anxieties they considered the demon as good as dead [2.3: 10].

S'rî Nârada said: 'Thus addressed by the spiritual master of all, turned the godly back to their places offering Him their obeisances, in their hearts relieved of all their anxieties and considered they the asura as good as killed [2.3: 10]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

The Daitya king fathered four most qualified sons of whom the one named Prahlâda was the best, being endowed with all the qualities of a great devotee [see 5.18: 12].

Of him, the daitya king there were four most qualified sons of whom the one named Prahlâda was the greatest with all the qualities of a great devotee [see 5.18: 12]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31-32

He, as a good brahmin being of full control over the senses and the mind, was firmly established in the Absolute Truth and was, alike the Supersoul, the beloved, best friend of all living beings. He sat down at the feet of the great souls like a servant, like a father he took care of the poor, he was like a brother to his equals and always kind to the spiritual masters whom he esteemed as the Supreme Controller Himself. He was of education, purpose, beauty, nobility and completely free from arrogance and impudence [compare B.G. 12: 13-19 and B.G. 18: 42].

As a good brahmin being of full control over the senses and the mind, had he all the talent of understanding the Absolute of the Truth. Like the Supersoul was he the beloved, best friend of all living beings, like a menial servant obeyed he always at the feet of the great, like a father he was kind to the poor, like a brother was he to his equals, he was full of affection for the spiritual masters whom he held as high as the Supreme Controller Himself; he was of education, purpose, beauty, nobility and completely free from arrogance and impudence [compare B.G. 12: 13-19 and B.G. 18: 42]. (Vedabase)


Text 33

Even though he was born from an Asura, he was not of a demoniac nature. In the midst of danger he was of an unperturbed consciousness and he had no desire whatsoever to talk about, or be concerned with, temporary matters. Material qualities he considered insubstantial and by controlling his senses, life air, body and mind he quieted his lusts.

Even though he was born from an asura was he in the midst of danger of an unperturbed consciousness and had he no desire whatsoever to what is heard and what is seen [with the Vedic knowledge]; things of the modes of matter he considered insubstantial and controlling the senses and life force, were the lusts of his body and his mind always quieted; he was completely void of the demoniac nature. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

His qualities are, like those of the Supreme Lord, our Controller, unabatedly defended by the scholars to this very day, oh King.

The qualities of him are, like those found in the Supreme Lord our Controller, by the advanced always glorified as being the greatest, o King, and not so much the ones one is so confused about today [in Kali-yuga]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

In gatherings of saintly people, the enemies [of the demons] discuss these characteristics, using him as an example. When even the wise and learned souls do this, oh King, then why should you, or anyone else, not do that also?

In gatherings for the sake of the saintly would even the godly of enmity [with the asuric], o ruler of man, take him for an example; then why shouldn't you or others? (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

One runs out of words when one tries to enumerate the countless qualities of him who owed his greatness to his natural attraction for Vâsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The greatness of the countless qualities of him who is known for his natural attachment to Vâsudeva, the Supreme Lord, defies all description. (Vedabase)


Text 37

As a small boy he, in his full absorption in the attraction of Krishna, refrained from playing and seemed to be absentminded, having no understanding for worldly matters.

As a boy having forsaken all child play seemed he to be listless, fully absorbed with his mind in the world of Krishna as he was; completely of that attraction was he not interested in the ways of the world. (Vedabase)


Text 38

As he sat and walked, ate and lay down, drank and talked he, embraced by Govinda, was impervious to all of it.

As he sat and walked, ate and lied down, drank or talked, was he, embraced by Govinda, impervious to anything that went on outside of it. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

Sometimes worrying about [not being in] Vaikunthha he cried, sometimes he laughed about a twist of mind and sometimes he chanted aloud in great jubilation thinking of Him.

Sometimes he cried thinking of Vaikunthha, sometimes he laughed to the follies of the mind and sometimes chanted he thinking of Him gladly, very loud. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

Sometimes he, being overwhelmed, loudly exclaimed [His name], sometimes he danced without shame and sometimes he, lost in thoughts about Him and projecting himself into His position, imitated Him.

Sometimes he exclaimed anxiously, sometimes without shame he danced and sometimes did he, lost in thoughts about Him, imitate Him thinking to be Him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

Then again he, with his hair standing on end and with tears in his half-closed eyes, fell completely silent, rapt with joy in being caught in the loving association of His transcendental bliss.

At times with his hair standing on end and his half closed eyes filled with tears, fell he completely silent rapt with joy being caught in His loving association of transcendental bliss. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

By his constant service at the lotus feet that are glorified in the hymns and by the evolution of his selfless association, he attained the highest ecstasy. From the spiritual soul he that way continually brought peace to all [around him] who lacked in spirit and association.

He by his constant service to the lotus feet as glorified in the hymns, obtained of expanding on the association with the liberated the highest ecstasy, bestowing constantly from the spiritual soul peace upon the ones poor in spirit and association. (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

Unto him, that exalted and most fortunate, broad-minded devotee who was his own son, oh King, Hiranyakas'ipu committed the greatest sin.'

Unto him that exalted and most fortunate broad minded devotee, o King, who was his own son, committed Hiranyakas'ipu the greatest sin.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

S'rî Yudhishthhira said: 'Oh devarishi sworn to vows, we would like to know from you the following: why did the father make his own pure and exalted son suffer?

S'rî Yudhishthhira said: 'O saint of God vowed to the best, we would like to know from you the following: how could the father give his own son, such a saint of purity and goodness, any trouble? (Vedabase)

 

Text 45

Sons going against the will of their fathers are lovingly reprimanded. But for teaching them a lesson they cannot be punished like an enemy, is it not?

Sons going against the will of their fathers are chastised out of love. For the sake of their education, they can't be punished like an enemy, can they? (Vedabase)

 

Text 46

Please, oh brahmin, what to say about this father who, so mean to the point of death, hated his own obedient son? Please drive away the doubts we have, for he was a great devotee of the sort who honors his father as his guru, oh master.'

Please dissipate the doubts we have, o brahmin, about this father being so mean in hating to the point of death his own so very obedient son, a great devotee of the sort that honors his father as his guru, o master.' (Vedabase)

 

 

 

 

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